Pam Fessler : NPRhttps://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=2100470
Pam Fessler is a correspondent on NPR's National Desk, where she covers poverty and philanthropy.enCopyright 2017 NPR - For Personal Use OnlyNPR API RSS Generator 0.94Wed, 06 Dec 2017 00:02:20 -0500https://media.npr.org/images/stations/nprone_logos/npr.png?s=200Pam Fesslerhttps://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=2100470
Homeless Population Rises, Driven By West Coast Affordable-Housing CrisisIt's the first time the number of homeless people has grown since 2010. In Los Angeles, homelessness is up by nearly 26 percent, fueled by high housing prices. Wed, 06 Dec 2017 00:02:20 -0500https://www.npr.org/2017/12/06/568605069/homeless-population-rises-driven-by-west-coast-affordable-housing-crisis?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=pamfessler
https://www.npr.org/2017/12/06/568605069/homeless-population-rises-driven-by-west-coast-affordable-housing-crisis?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=pamfessler

It's the first time the number of homeless people has grown since 2010. In Los Angeles, homelessness is up by nearly 26 percent, fueled by high housing prices.

(Image credit: Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images)

]]>Pam FesslerA Year After Russia Meddling, Off-Year Elections Are MonitoredVoter confidence was shaken by revelations that Russia targeted election systems in at least 21 states last year. A year later, efforts to tighten voting cybersecurity is making some progress.Tue, 07 Nov 2017 05:05:00 -0500https://www.npr.org/2017/11/07/562486264/a-year-after-russia-meddling-off-year-elections-are-monitored?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=pamfessler
https://www.npr.org/2017/11/07/562486264/a-year-after-russia-meddling-off-year-elections-are-monitored?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=pamfesslerVoter confidence was shaken by revelations that Russia targeted election systems in at least 21 states last year. A year later, efforts to tighten voting cybersecurity is making some progress.]]>Pam FesslerNonprofits Fear House Republican Tax Bill Would Hurt Charitable Giving Even though Republicans promise to preserve the deduction for charitable donations, nonprofits say other proposed changes in the bill could discourage as much as $13 billion in annual giving. Sat, 04 Nov 2017 05:00:05 -0400https://www.npr.org/2017/11/04/561978437/nonprofits-fear-house-republican-tax-bill-would-hurt-charitable-giving?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=pamfessler
https://www.npr.org/2017/11/04/561978437/nonprofits-fear-house-republican-tax-bill-would-hurt-charitable-giving?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=pamfessler

Even though Republicans promise to preserve the deduction for charitable donations, nonprofits say other proposed changes in the bill could discourage as much as $13 billion in annual giving.

(Image credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

]]>Pam Fessler'Nothing Going On' With Trump Voter Fraud Commission Due To Multiple LawsuitsThe commission is facing eight lawsuits and one Republican member says, "We're not emailing each other. We're not conversing with each other."Thu, 26 Oct 2017 05:00:00 -0400https://www.npr.org/2017/10/26/560089042/nothing-going-on-with-trump-voter-fraud-commission-due-to-multiple-lawsuits?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=pamfessler
https://www.npr.org/2017/10/26/560089042/nothing-going-on-with-trump-voter-fraud-commission-due-to-multiple-lawsuits?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=pamfessler

The commission is facing eight lawsuits and one Republican member says, "We're not emailing each other. We're not conversing with each other."

(Image credit: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)

]]>Pam FesslerIn A Push To House The Homeless, High Prices Are Eroding GainsJames Brown's modest, walk-up apartment costs $1,300 a month, covered by Social Security and the federal government.Tue, 24 Oct 2017 08:44:00 -0400https://www.npr.org/2017/10/24/559555148/in-a-push-to-house-the-homeless-high-prices-are-eroding-gains?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=pamfessler
https://www.npr.org/2017/10/24/559555148/in-a-push-to-house-the-homeless-high-prices-are-eroding-gains?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=pamfessler

James Brown's modest, walk-up apartment costs $1,300 a month, covered by Social Security and the federal government.

(Image credit: Pam Fessler/NPR)

]]>Pam FesslerA Tale Of Two Efforts To Improve Confidence In U.S. ElectionsOne effort, centered on President Trump's voter fraud commission, is mired in controversy. But efforts to improve communication between the feds and election officials are showing progress.Mon, 23 Oct 2017 05:01:00 -0400https://www.npr.org/2017/10/23/559002709/a-tale-of-two-efforts-to-improve-confidence-in-u-s-elections?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=pamfessler
https://www.npr.org/2017/10/23/559002709/a-tale-of-two-efforts-to-improve-confidence-in-u-s-elections?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=pamfessler

One effort, centered on President Trump's voter fraud commission, is mired in controversy. But efforts to improve communication between the feds and election officials are showing progress.

(Image credit: Jeff Kowalsky/AFP/Getty Images)

]]>Pam FesslerWhile Homelessness Escalates In Los Angeles, A Push For Veterans Got Him Off The StreetHomelessness is on the rise in Los Angeles. James Brown got his own home there five years ago, and reflects on his two decades living on the streets.Sat, 21 Oct 2017 08:12:50 -0400https://www.npr.org/2017/10/21/559215250/while-homelessness-escalates-in-los-angeles-a-push-for-veterans-got-him-off-the-?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=pamfessler
https://www.npr.org/2017/10/21/559215250/while-homelessness-escalates-in-los-angeles-a-push-for-veterans-got-him-off-the-?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=pamfesslerHomelessness is on the rise in Los Angeles. James Brown got his own home there five years ago, and reflects on his two decades living on the streets.]]>Pam FesslerA Death And More Questions For Trump's Voter Fraud CommissionOne of the five Democratic commissioners died suddenly on Monday. Meanwhile, another Democratic commissioner complained about receiving no information or updates about the panel's work. Tue, 17 Oct 2017 16:57:17 -0400https://www.npr.org/2017/10/17/558380926/a-death-and-more-questions-for-trumps-voter-fraud-commission?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=pamfessler
https://www.npr.org/2017/10/17/558380926/a-death-and-more-questions-for-trumps-voter-fraud-commission?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=pamfessler

One of the five Democratic commissioners died suddenly on Monday. Meanwhile, another Democratic commissioner complained about receiving no information or updates about the panel's work.

(Image credit: Danny Johnston/AP)

]]>Pam FesslerGambling, Guns Were Mainstay Of Vegas Shooter's LifeNeighbors of Stephen Paddock, who authorities say killed scores of people at a concert on the Las Vegas Strip, say he and his girlfriend stayed up nights playing online poker.Mon, 02 Oct 2017 16:09:00 -0400https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/10/02/555088261/las-vegas-shooter-said-to-be-a-restless-retiree-who-liked-to-gamble?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=pamfessler
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/10/02/555088261/las-vegas-shooter-said-to-be-a-restless-retiree-who-liked-to-gamble?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=pamfessler

Neighbors of Stephen Paddock, who authorities say killed scores of people at a concert on the Las Vegas Strip, say he and his girlfriend stayed up nights playing online poker.

(Image credit: AP)

]]>Howard BerkesLearning 2016's Lessons, Virginia Prepares Election CyberdefensesOne of the most drastic steps was a decision to adopt all new paper-backed voting machines before November after deciding that the paperless electronic equipment was vulnerable to attack.Tue, 26 Sep 2017 06:05:00 -0400https://www.npr.org/2017/09/26/553519401/learning-2016-s-lessons-virginia-prepares-election-cyberdefenses?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=pamfessler
https://www.npr.org/2017/09/26/553519401/learning-2016-s-lessons-virginia-prepares-election-cyberdefenses?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=pamfessler

One of the most drastic steps was a decision to adopt all new paper-backed voting machines before November after deciding that the paperless electronic equipment was vulnerable to attack.

(Image credit: Pam Fessler/NPR)

]]>Pam FesslerVirginia Election Serves As First Test Of U.S. Voting System SecurityVirginia is one of two states to hold major elections this November, a year after Russians tried to hack into U.S. voting systems. It will be the first test of how much progress has been made by election officials and federal agencies on securing U.S. elections from attack.Mon, 25 Sep 2017 16:31:00 -0400https://www.npr.org/2017/09/25/553532503/virginia-election-serves-as-first-test-of-u-s-voting-system-security?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=pamfessler
https://www.npr.org/2017/09/25/553532503/virginia-election-serves-as-first-test-of-u-s-voting-system-security?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=pamfesslerVirginia is one of two states to hold major elections this November, a year after Russians tried to hack into U.S. voting systems. It will be the first test of how much progress has been made by election officials and federal agencies on securing U.S. elections from attack.]]>Pam Fessler10 Months After Election Day, Feds Tell States More About Russian HackingThe Department of Homeland Security said earlier this year that it had evidence of Russian activity in 21 states. But they didn't inform individual states whether they were among those targeted. Fri, 22 Sep 2017 16:25:55 -0400https://www.npr.org/2017/09/22/552956517/ten-months-after-election-day-feds-tell-states-more-about-russian-hacking?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=pamfessler
https://www.npr.org/2017/09/22/552956517/ten-months-after-election-day-feds-tell-states-more-about-russian-hacking?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=pamfessler

The Department of Homeland Security said earlier this year that it had evidence of Russian activity in 21 states. But they didn't inform individual states whether they were among those targeted.

(Image credit: Tami Chapell/AFP/Getty Images)

]]>Pam FesslerTension And Protests Mark Trump Voting Commission MeetingOne witness suggested voters undergo the same kind of background check now applied to gun buyers, a function that system was never designed for.Tue, 12 Sep 2017 18:03:00 -0400https://www.npr.org/2017/09/12/550518986/tension-and-protests-mark-trump-voting-commission-meeting?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=pamfessler
https://www.npr.org/2017/09/12/550518986/tension-and-protests-mark-trump-voting-commission-meeting?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=pamfessler

One witness suggested voters undergo the same kind of background check now applied to gun buyers, a function that system was never designed for.

(Image credit: Holly Ramer/AP)

]]>Pam FesslerTrump's Voting Commission Embroiled In New Controversy Ahead Of Next MeetingAhead of a meeting in New Hampshire, the panel's co-chair, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, made questionable claims that the state allowed nonresidents to vote last year.Tue, 12 Sep 2017 05:00:00 -0400https://www.npr.org/2017/09/12/550253168/trump-s-voting-commission-embroiled-in-new-controversy-ahead-of-next-meeting?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=pamfessler
https://www.npr.org/2017/09/12/550253168/trump-s-voting-commission-embroiled-in-new-controversy-ahead-of-next-meeting?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=pamfessler

Ahead of a meeting in New Hampshire, the panel's co-chair, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, made questionable claims that the state allowed nonresidents to vote last year.

(Image credit: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

]]>Pam FesslerVoter Fraud Commission Holds Second Meeting In New Hampshire Amid ControversyPresident Trump's controversial commission looking into voter fraud holds its first meeting outside Washington, D.C., on Tuesday in New Hampshire. The federal panel has been unusually secretive and is being sued by voter advocacy groups, who want it to be more transparent about its agenda. Questions have also been raised by a Breitbart News article written by co-chair Kris Kobach alleging widespread voter fraud in New Hampshire last November.Mon, 11 Sep 2017 16:33:00 -0400https://www.npr.org/2017/09/11/550218471/voter-fraud-commission-holds-second-meeting-in-new-hampshire-amid-controversy?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=pamfessler
https://www.npr.org/2017/09/11/550218471/voter-fraud-commission-holds-second-meeting-in-new-hampshire-amid-controversy?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=pamfesslerPresident Trump's controversial commission looking into voter fraud holds its first meeting outside Washington, D.C., on Tuesday in New Hampshire. The federal panel has been unusually secretive and is being sued by voter advocacy groups, who want it to be more transparent about its agenda. Questions have also been raised by a Breitbart News article written by co-chair Kris Kobach alleging widespread voter fraud in New Hampshire last November.]]>Pam Fessler